Storms and Your Electrical Service How We Work to Minimize Outages Before They Occur

Central Hudson delivers electricity to over a quarter-million homes and workplaces in a 2,600-square-mile area in eight counties. We operate and maintain more than 7,000 miles of overhead power lines to do so.

Statistically, our typical customer enjoys dependable electric service 99.9 percent of the time. In those rare instances when power is interrupted, the problem may be traced to damage sustained by storm activity or other impacts to electric distribution facilities.

However, with more than 60 percent of the Mid-Hudson Valley covered with trees, most power interruptions occur when storms cause trees and limbs to fall into contact with power lines.

Trees and Reliability
Since storm-related damage to trees is the principal cause of power outages for our customers, we regularly maintain clearance between the trees and our distribution lines through a regularly scheduled program of inspection and trimming. We routinely trim along the 7,000 miles of our electric distribution system every three years, and we also have initiated a more focused program to trim where tree damage could have the greatest impact on service. Under this program, the trimming area is expanded to remove all limbs above the power lines. If you live along these lines, our tree-trimming crews may stop by to discuss pruning or the removal of danger trees (those which are dead, dying or leaning sharply) that are on or near your property and which threaten power lines. At Central Hudson, we seek your understanding and cooperation, especially by those who may be directly affected by our trimming program, as we hope to convey the importance of our line clearing efforts to improve electric reliability for everyone.

In attempting to ensure your reliable electric service, we seek to balance the benefits of tree trimming and tree removal with aesthetic and environmental concerns. Our booklet, “Trees and Your Electric Service,” describes our clearance/tree trimming program, and how we strive to maintain the natural beauty and health of trees while taking sensible precautions for our customers.

Our Reliability Improvement Program
Another way Central Hudson works to improve reliability is through regular maintenance of our electric distribution system. Central Hudson refurbishes or rebuilds electric lines that show signs of wear, and will upgrade facilities where electric load has grown.

The Reliability Improvement Program takes our routine program a step further by identifying electric lines and circuits that require upgrades or even complete reconstruction to meet the growing needs of our communities. At times you may see trucks and crews working on lines in your area. Rest assured that they are performing the important task of providing us all with reliable electric service.

Between 2007 and 2010 $30 million will be invested to improve electric service reliability through tree trimming and vegetation management. For more information see Reliability Initiatives.

How Central Hudson Prepares for Adverse Weather and Communicates During Emergencies
Central Hudson’s goal of minimizing service interruptions is realized through ongoing programs to maintain and improve our electric distribution facilities. The use of technology, storm drills and a communications plan are also important aspects of preparing for, and responding to, emergencies:

Outage Management System Technology
Central Hudson uses its state-of-the-art computerized Outage Management System (or OMS) to quickly locate and identify the cause of a service interruption, and to facilitate restoration by service crews. This system saves time, helps us allocate resources more effectively and enables us to provide you with an estimated time when your service will be restored.

With the OMS system, the greater the number of customers that call, the more accurate the system will be in pinpointing the location and cause of service interruptions.  

“How Long Will The Power Be Out?”
With this system, repair crews can spend less time looking for the source of trouble and begin fixing the problem sooner. It also means that our Customer Service Representatives will have service restoration information available sooner, which you can access by using your touch-tone phone to call us at (845) 452-2700, or 1-800-527-2714.

By following the simple instructions, an automated message will give you an estimated time of restoration when that information is available, or by pressing “0” you will be connected with a Customer Service Representative who can provide you with the same information.

Please be aware that during service interruptions caused by severe storms affecting a large area, restoration information may not be immediately available as OMS analyzes incoming data and our staff works to coordinate crew assignments and implement repair plans. But as soon as field crews are able to identify and prioritize the necessary repair work, electric service restoration information will be made available to you.

Storm Drills
We regularly conduct storm drills, which mimic crisis conditions, to better prepare our repair workers and support personnel for actual emergencies. Communications with emergency and municipal officials are also reviewed so that we’re assured of having the proper contacts in the event of an actual storm.

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